Education and Training in UK e-Science

As e-Science and Grid computing technologies mature from research prototypes to production infrastructure underpinning real research, the necessity for education and training in the development and use of these technologies grows. A workshop was held at NeSC to foster interaction between the funders, providers, and consumers of e-Science education and training in the UK, and to discuss possibilities for collaboration in such activities. The workshop reviewed the wide range of activities already underway, from awareness-raising events with participants from the commercial sector through MSc-level courses to workshops training more experienced scientists to use e-Science technologies. This revealed a willingness within the community conducting those activities to collaborate in their development and delivery, and, more concretely, several specific requirements were identified as necessary for the future success of education and training in UK e-Science. In this background paper we review the issues raised during the workshop, to inform and stimulate discussion within the community leading to the development of a coordinated plan for education and training within UK e-Science. We also outline the reasoning behind our four specific recommendations, namely that: • A coordinated programme for e-Science education and training is needed in the UK; • A dedicated testbed Grid infrastructure should be provided for education and training purposes; • A repository should be established to facilitate the sharing of materials amongst those undertaking education and training activities; and • A study should be funded to develop the detailed specifications for the proposed testbed Grid and repository and, more generally, to assess the match between the requirements for education and training within UK e-Science and activities underway or currently planned.